You can have serious side effects if you want to be too he althy

Table of contents:

You can have serious side effects if you want to be too he althy
You can have serious side effects if you want to be too he althy
Anonim

The he althy lifestyle has become such a hype that for many people it is not only simply important, but they almost obsessively categorize food into such categories as medicine, good, bad, slow death or taboo; and in addition, even exercise is exaggerated. In fact, there are people who consume much larger doses of vitamins than the recommended amount. So it's worth considering and asking for expert help before someone embarks on another craze, because a seemingly favorable method can have serious side effects. Earlier we wrote about how it would be useless for someone to stop eating sugary foods, if the teeth can be destroyed in the same way by the constant consumption of vegetables and fruits. We have collected some equally risky habits. Here it is:

"Carrot overdose"=yellowish skin

The carrot is full of important substances, but if too much of the fat-soluble beta-carotene gets into the blood, it accumulates in the uppermost layer of the skin and turns it yellow, and is mainly seen on the palms, knees, soles, and nose area the change. Although carotenemia is a common phenomenon in infants, if they are fed too much carrot puree, it can also occur in adults. According to a study published in The Journal of Dermatology, a 66-year-old woman developed symptoms after taking far more than the recommended amount of carotene tablets. (A cup of sliced raw beets contains about 15 mg of carotene, so in order to achieve results similar to the described case, we would have to consume half a cup of beets a day for months.) "Excessive consumption of orange vegetables and fruits rich in carotene and vitamin A is the in addition to harmless skin changes, it can also lead to other unwanted side effects, such as headaches, vomiting, hair loss, itching and worsening (double) vision, as well as dry eyes and mouth," dietician Noémi Kerezsi told Dívány."The solution is literally diverse and varied eating, that is, reducing the amount of orange foods (one orange vegetable or fruit per day) and introducing other green, red, purple fruits and vegetables into the diet," the expert suggests.

shutterstock 401945422
shutterstock 401945422

Water costs a lot

Our body needs hydration in order to function properly, however excessive liquid consumption also has harmful effects. "The daily recommended amount is 1.5-2 liters, but of course, in the summer heat, and depending on physical activity, he alth status or the climate of the place of residence, it is also permissible to consume more than two liters of water, as our body evaporates the excess liquid. A single large amount is considered dangerous, for example, consuming more than one and a half liters of liquid per hour, which results in a change in concentration, i.e. in this case the balance of electrolytes, potassium and sodium in our body is upset. And this change can lead to many problems: malaise, heart rhythm disorders, muscle spasms can occur, water accumulates in the lungs, and the kidneys can stop working," warns Noémi Kerezsi. If the drop in blood sodium is rapid, symptoms develop more quickly and are more severe. The diagnosis of hyponatremia can be made on the basis of a low sodium level in the blood, but finding out the causes is more complicated, which requires a full assessment of the situation by the doctor.

According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 13 percent of the 488 participants of the 2002 Boston Marathon developed so-called hyponatremia during fluid replacement. This condition - which can be fatal in severe cases - could be avoided if runners measured their body weight before and after training/competition, so they would be aware of the safe amount of fluid their body needs after sweating profusely.

Hard workouts=kidney problems

„Intense, too frequent and strenuous exercise can lead to rhabdomyolysis, i.e. skeletal muscle damage. This condition is associated with the secretion of the muscle protein called myoglobin into the blood and urine, and with a certain degree of muscle damage, the substances flowing into the blood can also cause kidney problems, sports doctor David Kruse told Womans's Day magazine.

About Rhabdomyolysis

Strenuous training has a great effect on enzyme values and physical condition. Damage to muscle tissue is natural to a certain extent - muscle fever often occurs after exercise, - however, during its disintegration, the muscle's oxygen storage, myoglobin, which is similar to hemoglobin, also enters the blood in large quantities. Myoglobin can quickly and easily damage the kidneys, rarely resulting in acute kidney failure. According to case studies, sudden and too quickly introduced physical activity that is significantly more stressful than before (even digging up the garden in an inactive person) can result in serious muscle fever, muscle swelling, dark brown urine and even the complete cessation of urine production in both untrained and trained people.

Unfortunately, there are those who continue to exercise despite the suspicious signs and even with the pain, when they should be resting and regenerating. "Symptoms don't always include muscle pain, but if someone experiences dark, brown-colored urine, general muscle pain, and a fast heartbeat, they need medical attention as soon as possible. We can reduce the risks if we exercise according to our abilities and physical strength and pay attention to fluid replacement. Let's move at a slower pace and not compare our own performance to that of a much more routine athlete, and always introduce only one new form of exercise at a time," suggests the expert.

shutterstock 330602678
shutterstock 330602678

A protein bar will only make you constipated

The protein bars in your bag always come in handy if you don't have the opportunity to have a regular meal after a workout, but most of these products are not only very poor in fiber, but their nutritional content is not equal to the vitamin and mineral content of an average main meal, so digestion it certainly does no good. In addition, extreme protein consumption makes you tired and can cause kidney problems.

"Protein is not primarily important for the body because of energy gain, but because protein is the building material of our body, so the amount of recommended daily protein intake varies by sport and depending on the intensity of the movement - explains Noémi Kerezsi. "Instead of protein bars, it is worth however, to choose wholesome, high-protein foods such as chicken breast, egg whites, cheeses, peanut butter, low-fat Greek yogurt or berries," he advises.

Medicinal plants and outdated knowledge

Are you familiar with the condition where symptoms worsen during recovery? This is the so-called Herxheimer reaction (Herx for short), during which the destroyed pathogens release toxins from themselves - forcing the immune system to work harder - and which, according to some, garlic extract, oregano oil and other can also be triggered by herbal preparations. However, not everyone agrees with the latter. "It is probably an urban legend, the basis of which may be that inhaling plants with a high essential oil content can cause runny nose and irritation, but this has nothing to do with the flu," said Dr. Dezső Csupor is a pharmacist and phytotherapy specialist.

But there are other misconceptions about medicinal herbs that should be cleared up. "The most serious problem is when someone uses poisonous plants as medicinal plants. Many old herbal books that have been republished in recent years contain plants that we should not use - because we already know their toxic effects. For example, calendula, which many people drink on a daily basis to improve digestion, or black nightshade, which due to its liver-damaging alkaloids can only be used externally, e.g. in the form of a cream, making tea out of it and drinking it, however, is dangerous, warns Dr. Dezső Cupur. "There are plants that are safe for occasional use, but they are not recommended for long-term and regular use. Such is the bearberry, which can be taken for a few days in case of urinary tract inflammation, but its continuous consumption can cause vision damage. It is not dangerous, but there is no point in consuming Echinacea all the time, but rather it should be used as a cure (with a break after taking it for a few weeks), because with continuous use, its modulating effect on the immune system ceases. Some plants, such as St. John's wort, gingko or garlic, are harmless by themselves, but can be harmful when they interact with medicines. That's why it's important for people who take medication chronically to always find out about possible interactions from their pharmacist or doctor," suggests the expert.

shutterstock 258004769
shutterstock 258004769

Constant hand disinfection can cause allergies

“Especially during the flu season, it's tempting to take out the hand sanitizer gel or cloth every five minutes, but if you use anti-germ products mindlessly, you'll only get rid of the good bacteria. And because of this, we will be more prone to diseases caused by certain pathogens, explains Michael Schmidt, professor of microbiology at the Medical University of South Carolina. In addition, according to a study, young people who frequently come into contact with an ingredient in antibacterial soaps are much more likely to develop allergies or hay fever. If possible, do not use alcohol-based hand sanitizer gels more than 5-6 times a day and stick to the traditional solution, that is, the soap and warm water combo!

Recommended: